Opening of Robo- and Datalap in Tomatoworld

The opening of the Robo- and Datalab in Tomatoworld marks an important step in the further digitalization and automation of Dutch greenhouse horticulture. These facilities offer a practical environment in which new technologies are tested and refined, with the aim of improving the sector and making it future-proof. By using robotization and data analysis intelligently, challenges such as labor shortages and sustainability issues can be tackled more efficiently.

The Robo- and Datalab offers growers and technology developers a unique environment to not only test innovations, but also to develop them faster and scale them up to practice. For example, robots and drones can be used for harvest monitoring and pest control, while advanced data analysis helps to optimize cultivation strategies. By working together in a practice-oriented setting, the adoption of technology in the sector is not only accelerated, but also improved by feeding practical experience directly back to the developers.

The Robo and Datalab are not stand-alone initiatives, but are part of a larger network. Within the Handsfree Agrifood ecosystem of NXTGEN Hightech, there is close collaboration with initiatives such as RoboCrops and the inspiring location Tomatoword. This underlines the power of a broader, joint approach: innovation only has a real impact when different ecosystems work together and connect knowledge, data and technology. This cross-pollination between sectors and disciplines creates solutions that can be applied not only within greenhouse horticulture, but can also be used more broadly in the agrifood sector.

The opening of the Robo- and Datalab underlines the transformation of the traditional greenhouse to a data-driven and automated environment. By accelerating innovation processes and testing them in a practical way, technology becomes more accessible and better integrated into existing business models. In this way, the Netherlands not only strengthens its international leading position, but also builds a future in which greenhouse horticulture can operate more efficiently, sustainably and less dependent on scarce labour.